Dethroned at Bellator in a disastrous interruption, Juliana Velasquez admits filing an appeal to change the result

Dethroned at flyweight (up to 56,7kg) in a controversial fight at Bellator 278, Brazilian Juliana Velasquez only thinks of one word: justice. Victim of a hasty interruption by referee Mike Beltran, in a confrontation with Liz Carmouche, the fighter vented about the episode that occurred last Friday (25). Exclusively to SUPER FIGHTS, the Rio native admitted to seeking legal resources to try to reverse the official result of the confrontation.

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In the fight in which he would seek his second belt defense, Velasquez managed to control his opponent for a considerable time in the dispute. According to two of the three side judges, the Brazilian was winning the fight before the controversial stoppage in the fourth round.

Juliana narrates the scenario that led to the interruption

Beltran's stoppage came at the end of the fourth round. By the time he decided to end the fight, Velasquez was in a disadvantageous position on the ground and was receiving elbows that did no damage. Mike, however, understood that the Brazilian would have disagreed with the challenger's actions, and chose to stop the fight, declaring a technical knockout.

“The fight went the way we imagined. In the end, I lost my balance and she (Carmouche) fell on top. (…) She blocked my arm, but she wasn't hitting it hard. (…) In the locker room, the referee who will lead your fight explains the rules. He made it very clear that if his hand was trapped, he would look at our faces. (…) The entire fight my hips were high, to show that I wasn't out of shape. I also showed with my eye that everything was ok. (…) There was very little left. (…) She didn’t even have an angle (to hurt). When he interrupted, for me, it was a shock,” she declared.

Referee recognizes error

Although he admits not having spoken to Beltran after the unfortunate episode, Velasquez was aware that the referee had admitted the mistake. The athlete explains that she learned the information from John McCarthy, MMA legend and commentator for the company.

“As soon as we arrived at the hotel (Juliana and team), John McCarthy and another commentator were already there. They were at the restaurant. They both got up immediately and went to greet me. They had recognized my victory and that I was the champion. They said that Mike Beltran had recognized the error. John McCarthy apologized to me. This kind of mistake couldn’t happen,” he said.

Cancellation of the fight

Without the belt, Juliana seeks justice. The Brazilian states that she will look for legal ways to change the official result.

“(John McCarthy) even offered to help me order the 'I didn't answer'. He said he would be on my side. We are waiting to enter the review process. I will do everything to make this happenI didn't answer'. (…) As far as I know, if it happensI didn't answer', I'm still the champion”, she said.

Athlete's history

Professional in MMA since 2014, Velasquez has 13 appearances in the sport. Today, the Brazilian has 12 triumphs and one stumble. The fight against Liz, so far, marks the first negative result in the 35-year-old carioca's career.

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